| CPC C25B 9/65 (2021.01) [C02F 1/283 (2013.01); C02F 1/442 (2013.01); C02F 1/46109 (2013.01); C02F 1/4672 (2013.01); C02F 1/66 (2013.01); C02F 1/78 (2013.01); C25B 9/63 (2021.01); C02F 2001/46142 (2013.01); C02F 2001/46171 (2013.01); C02F 2101/305 (2013.01); C02F 2101/36 (2013.01); C02F 2103/06 (2013.01); C02F 2201/4614 (2013.01); C02F 2201/46145 (2013.01); C02F 2209/05 (2013.01); C02F 2209/06 (2013.01); C02F 2301/08 (2013.01); C02F 2305/023 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
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1. A process for treating wastewater contaminated with contaminants comprising chemical residue of medicaments and/or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the process comprising:
circulating the contaminated wastewater through at least one electrolytic reactor comprising electrodes while applying a current to the electrodes, for electro-oxidizing and degrading said emerging contaminants; wherein each of the at least one electrolytic reactor for treating contaminated wastewater comprises:
an enclosure comprising:
a closed end having an inlet,
an open end, opposite to the closed end, forming an aperture and having at least one outlet adjacent the aperture, and
a peripheral wall extending from the closed end to the open end; and
an electrode assembly configured to be inserted into the enclosure through the aperture and to seal the aperture to form the at least one electrolytic reactor, the electrode assembly comprising;
a first group of N electrodes of said electrodes operatively connected to a first current distribution circuit; and
a second group of N electrodes of said electrodes operatively connected to a second current distribution circuit;
wherein:
N is an integer equals to 3, 6, 9, 12, 16 or 18;
the 2N electrodes of the first and second groups are configured to extend from the open end towards the closed end of the enclosure inside the enclosure;
the first and second current distribution circuits are each configured to be operatively connected to an electric power supply, the N electrodes of the first group forming anodes and the N electrodes of the second group forming cathodes, and vice versa, according to a polarity of the current provided to the first and second groups of electrodes; and
the inlet being configured to be fluidly connected to a pump for circulating the contaminated wastewater inside the enclosure from the inlet to the at least one outlet of the at least one electrolytic reactor; and
wherein the electrode assembly comprises a crown member configured to hold the 2N electrodes and secure the current distribution circuits, the crown member being configured to seal the aperture of the enclosure once the electrodes are inserted into the enclosure; and wherein the crown member comprises:
a plate for supporting the electrodes extending therefrom, the plate at least matching in size with the open end of the enclosure to seal the enclosure; and
a tubular insert extending from the plate in an opposite direction than the electrodes, the tubular insert and the plate forming an inner space for securing the current distribution circuits;
wherein the first current distribution circuit comprises a first distribution plate made of an electrically conductive material and defining a first shape, and
the second current distribution circuit comprises a second distribution plate made of the electrically conductive material and defining a second shape,
wherein each plate is configured to connect in parallel the N electrodes of its respective group, and
wherein the first and second shapes allow the distributions plates to be inserted into the inner space of the tubular enclosure while keeping a gap therebetween to avoid electrical contact; and
wherein the first plate has a ring shape extending along a peripheral wall of the tubular insert, and the second plate has a star shape configured in size to be located inside the first plate; and wherein the first ring shaped plate forms a number N of tips extending inwardly, each tip forming an electrical connecting point with one electrode of the same group, whereas the second star shaped plate has a number N of tips extending outwardly toward the first plate, wherein the N tips of the second plate intercalate with the N tips of the first plate along a same circumferential position, the intercalated tips being each electrically connected with one electrode of its respective group.
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